From the pen of the bestselling author of the Alex Rider series and the brain behind BBC shows Foyle’s War and New Blood, a gripping psychological drama comes to the Belgrade Theatre this month.

Presented by Tabs Productions and Angela Browne Ltd, Anthony Horowitz’s Mindgame is running in Coventry from Wednesday, March 14, until Saturday, March 17, and tells the story of true crime writer Mark Styler (Andrew Ryan) and his efforts to gain an interview with the notorious serial killer Easterman.

But in order to reach the man and claim his prize, he must first find a way to get past Dr Farquhar (Michael Sherwin), the quixotic head of the Fairfields asylum where Easterman is being kept.

Ahead of its arrival this month, here are five great reasons to see Mindgame at the Belgrade.

It’s written by a bestselling novelist and screenwriter

With a well-deserved reputation as one of the most prolific and dynamic British writers working today, Anthony Horowitz is a natural polymath, writing for page, stage and screen and for children as well as adults. As well as having written over 40 different books, he’s also a successful journalist.

Among his most popular works are the Alex Rider teen spy books, estimated to have sold around 19 million copies worldwide, which he has also adapted into a feature film. Adult novels include his Sherlock Holmes stories House of Silk and Moriarty, and a James Bond novel Trigger Mortis. He is also responsible for writing and creating some of the UK’s most beloved television dramas, including Foyle’s War, Midsomer Murders and New Blood.

Star Michael Sherwin is a native West Midlander

Michael Sherwin, who stars as Dr Farquhar, was born nearby in Birmingham. He remained in the city to perform his acting training at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, and has since gone on to enjoy a variety of roles on stage and screen, including several productions for Tabs and Angela Browne.

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Co-star Andrew Ryan also has local links

Midlands theatre-goers might recognise the show’s intrepid crime writer Mark Styler from past appearances in a very different sort of show. A veteran panto Dame, Ryan played Sarah the Cook in the Birmingham Hippodrome’s 2016-17 Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington, following a stint as Widow Twankey in Aladdin during the 2015-16 season.

Tabs Productions have a great reputation for classic drama

From Shakespeare to Stephen King via Coward, Pinter, Berkoff, Mamet, Ayckbourn and Dickens, Tabs Productions have form when it comes to touring classic drama and literary adaptations. Acclaimed performances across the UK have included a spell at The Royal National Theatre, as well as being nominated for various awards along the way.

It’s been getting some rave reviews

Since making its debut in 2016, Mindgame has already made an impression on audiences and critics across the country. British Theatre Guide described the show as “one of the most fascinating evenings I’ve had in a theatre for a long time”, the Derbyshire Times called it “mind-blowing”, “intriguing and chilling” and Worcester News dubbed it a “helter-skelter ride into a hellish world”.